The Baltimore Ravens went into Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft with one pick. Just one pick, with the hope they'd be able to draft a difference-maker when they got on the board at No. 27. It was a long night, but when the Flock was finally on the clock, General Manager Eric DeCosta did what he does best and drafted the best player available.
How the Ravens ended up with Georgia star safety Malaki Starks is a mystery, but one fans won't care much to solve. He's now a Raven. That's all that matters. The pick wasn't all that surprising. After cutting ties with Marcus Williams in the offseason, there was a clear need for a replacement at the safety position. It was just a bit shocking that it turned out to be Starks.
The draft slide was massively beneficial for Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr and his staff. After fielding the second-worst passing defense in the league last year, they needed all the help they could get. Even with Starks in two, the Ravens are just getting started. They have 10 picks remaining, including two more on Day 2 (Nos. 59 and 91).
Here's who they should be circling.
Top prospects left for the Baltimore Ravens on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft
Alfred Collins, DT (Texas)
Woah! The guy pegged as the Ravens' "obvious next pick" makes the list? Shocker. Joking aside, Collins would be a luxury pick. He's a mammoth (6-foot-6, 332 pounds). If there is a "glaring" hole on defense, it's at the defensive tackle position. Michael Pierce retired unexpectedly and Brent Urban is still a free agent. Collins would compete for a rotational role immediately while working alongside Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.
Azareye'h Thomas, CB (Florida State)
Two defensive backs with the first two picks? Come on, that's crazy! As long-time college football analyst Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend!" This secondary got worked last season. There was already a need for more bodies—especially after losing Williams, Brandon Stephens, and Arthur Maulet in the offseason.
Thomas is a big boundary corner—6-foot-2, 197 pounds—with a high ceiling. He could keep Marlon Humphrey in the slot while second-year corner Nate Wiggins continues his development into one of the bright young corners in the league.
Darien Porter, CB (Iowa State)
Not only is Porter a bigger corner (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and could fill the needs like Thomas would, but he's also an elite special teams player. Baltimore loves its special teams contributors. Porter is raw. But he has 4.30 speed, can track the ball well, and comes equipped with the tools necessary to be a good press corner in the NFL.
Kaleb Johnson, RB (Iowa)
The run on running backs is expected to take off on Day 2. Ravens fans know how much head coach John Harbaugh values his running backs, so be on the lookout for a selection on Friday. Derrick Henry is due for an extension. He also isn't getting any younger. Justice Hill is a nice gadget back. This team needs a future workhorse. Enter Kaleb Johnson.
Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 224-pound instinctive back who can put his foot in the ground and get downhill. He'll split tackles and isn't afraid to initiate contact. Johnson is a However, he's not a one-trick pony. He has the hands to catch out of the backfield making him even more valuable.
Marcus Mbow, OL (Purdue)
The Ravens still need help on the interior offensive line, especially with left guard up for grabs. Mbow brings size (6-foot-4, 303), versatility, and a mean streak—three things Baltimore always values in the trenches. He’s started games at both guard spots and plays with enough power to thrive in a downhill scheme.
He’s not flashy, but he’s a mover. Mbow’s athletic enough to pull, climb, and lead the way on screens. His pass protection needs polish, but the traits are there. He's someone who could push for a starting job by midseason if Andrew Vorhees doesn’t lock it down.
Shemar Turner, DT (Texas A&M)
Turner is another name to watch if the Ravens go full send for a defensive tackle at No. 59. He’s twitchier than Collins and flashes more upside as a pass rusher, but he’s also a bit more raw.
Still, the production was solid in the SEC and his athleticism jumps off the screen. He could be a disruptive rotational piece early on. If Baltimore wants to lean into defensive versatility, Turner would make a lot of sense in this front.